The report presented (VIENNA, 14 November 2011) by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) establishes a new Connectedness Index, the first attempt to measure knowledge networks for private sector policy.

Switzerland topped the global ranking, followed by Sweden, The Netherlands, the United States, Finland, Singapore, Norway, Canada, the UK, France, Australia, Japan, Malaysia, the Czech Republic, New Zealand, Israel, Slovenia, the Republic of Korea, and Thailand.

Titled Networks for prosperity: achieving development goals through knowledge sharing, the report was funded by the Spanish MDG Achievement Fund (MDG-F) as part of a project that aims to establish a global knowledge system for private sector development. The report lays the basis for policy recommendations that will help developing countries acquire and adapt private sector development know-how.

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Networks for Prosperity demonstrates that the ‘connectedness’ of a country has a strong positive relationship with various measures for its economic performance, justifying the growing interest of policy-makers in knowledge networks. Specific issues related to the governance of international, inter-organizational and intra-organizational networks are discussed in separate chapters. These are illustrated with detailed examples from twelve countries: Bolivia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Panama, Peru, Serbia, Turkey and Viet Nam, all of which are currently implementing MDG-F private sector development programmes.

The report has been jointly produced by UNIDO and the Centre for Global Governance Studies in Leuven, Belgium, under the overall umbrella of the MDG-F, with inputs from various public and private institutions in more than fifteen countries as well as contributions from programme managers, practitioners and experts.

“This report shows that new networks are emerging as a distinct form of governance to meet ever-changing policy challenges in international development. It establishes for the first time a Connectedness Index covering a wide range of countries and correlating strongly with indicators on government effectiveness, regularity quality, industrial development and economic development. The report provides solid recommendations on the next steps to be taken in deepening this index, and in leveraging the role of networks for private sector development,” said UNIDO Director-General, Kandeh K. Yumkella.

Spain’s Secretary of State for International Development Cooperation, Soraya Rodriguez Ramos, recalled that in 2006, the U.N. and the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation signed a landmark agreement to programme EUR 528 million towards key development goals and related development goals in select sectors and countries.

“With this support, the Government of Spain is demonstrating its commitment to international development and to a strengthened multilateral system, and U.N. in particular. Knowledge management and knowledge networks are crucial elements in order to exchange information and experiences that consolidates good practices that are generated through MDG-F joint programme implementation which can then be used for future initiatives,” said Ramos.

The Director of the MDG Achievement Fund, Sophie de Caen, added: “New and innovative solutions will be needed to overcome development challenges as we approach 2015. Networks for Prosperity provides solid recommendations for such solutions in the area of Development and the Private Sector. I look forward to the implementation of these proposals in the next phase of the programme, and to the further strengthening of our global partnership for development.”

While not a new phenomenon, knowledge networking and network governance have gained importance with the rapid globalization in all spheres of our societies: economic success, social cohesion and environmental sustainability in a country depends more than ever on the performance and behaviour of its neighbours, regional leaders and global economic powers. Knowledge about these, with a focus on the driver of development, private enterprise, has therefore become of crucial importance, and knowledge management and knowledge networking are important topics for change agents and policymakers.

The publication will also be presented in Brussels, Busan and New York.

Go here to download or read online the full report and executive summary and for more information

To download the statement of Miroslava Beham, Ambassador of Serbia, click here

To download the statement of Carmen Buján Freire, Ambassador of Spain, click here

To download the statement of Jan Wouters, University of Leuven click here

UNIDO – Networks for prosperity is a post from: Chris Plant, creative images

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ISPO & FLEXFIT 2011 – Day 02 is a post from: Chris Plant, creative images

See the fanpage:  The Reef Photoshoot
Sponsored by creative images

ISPO and our friends at Reef is a post from: Chris Plant, creative images

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ISPO Munich… kicks off today is a post from: Chris Plant, creative images

ISPO 2011 “Official Sponsor Cap” is a post from: Chris Plant, creative images

The whole event will be the first time that “St Patricks day” will have been held in the Main square (Hlavné námestie) and it should be a fantastic evening with all the entertainment that the Irish Chamber of Commerce have set up.

The Irish Chamber asked us at creative images to help promote the event. creative images provided advertising in form of official flyers and also a very interesting marketing campaign which involved inviting all the members of Facebook’s Secret Bratislava to the event. creative images suggested that Secret Bratislava members would all received a personal invite to the biggest St Patricks day that Bratislava has seen, whilst also being given the opportunity to win prizes! The cross promotion not only helps the Irish Chamber of Commerce have a wider reach with marketing the country of Ireland and St Patricks Day in particular, it also rewards the members of Facebook’s group “Secret Bratislava” for their input on the highly successful group that has taken Bratislava by storm.

Please feel free to support the Irish chamber of Commerce and attend this years  ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION on Friday 19th March in the Main Square (Hlavné námestie), 19.00 – 21.00 The Curragour Piper & Drummers band with Irish dancing sets performed by the Avalon Irish dancing group. The Curragour Pipers & Drummers are from Limerick, Ireland. The Band perform a varied selection of lively Irish Pipe Music including Jigs, Reels, Hornpipes, Slow Airs and traditional ballads They will also be performing during the week from 20.00 at Gremium Pub on Thursday 18th March and from 20.00 at the Dubliner on Saturday 20th March.

Facebook’s latest group, Secret Bratislava’s first event is this years St Patricks day! is a post from: Chris Plant, creative images